Differences of metals and nonmetals
The table below shows the differences and properties of metals and nonmetals:
| Physical Properties | |
|---|---|
| Metal | Nonmetal |
| Mostly solids | Mostly gases at room temperature |
| Hard, shiny, malleable | Weak, dull, and brittle when solids |
| Ductile | Nonductile |
| Good conductors of electricity | Poor conductors of electricity. Nonmetals are nsulators (except graphite) |
| Good conductors of heat | Poor conductors of heat |
| Most have high melting point | Most have low melting point |
| Most have high boiling point | Most have low boiling point |
| High densities | Low densities |
| Chemical Properties | |
| Metal | Nonmetal |
| Form oxides that are basic | Form oxides that are acidic |
| Metals are good reducing agents | Nonmetals are good oxidizing agents/td> |
| Usually have 1-3 electrons in their outer shell | Usually have 4-8 electrons in their outer shell |
| Lose their valence electrons easily | Gain or share valence electrons easily |
| Have lower electronegativities | Have higher electronegativities |
| Metals are not inert | Many of the nonmetals are inert ( He, Xe, Ne, Kr, Ar, etc) |